Unique things to do in Shiga

We will share a course-meal ranging from modern to traditional Japanese food across 4-6 food stands and restaurants. I have chosen these vendors to talk about quality food and rich food culture that represent Kyoto. Throughout the evening, we will try many kinds of foods different from other Japanese cities offer with other foodies! Other things to note Please let me know if you have food restrictions or allergies beforehand. I update my tour availability by the 3rd week for next month. Even if you don't see availability, please check back later.

You can make a reservation to participate in the tea ceremony experience in our studio, enjoy the 60-minute service and immerse yourself in the unique Japanese culture tour. The Tea Ceremony experience in ANKOAN kicks out your fatigue in the journey. While tasting the welcome tea made by Yuka, you can talk about the tea ceremony and whatever. Then move to another layer of matcha tearoom, watching the process of making Matcha tea and tasting Matcha and delicious Wagashi. At this time, you’d better observe the teacher's action for making matcha carefully. Do you know why? Because you will experience to make mathca personally later on. But don't worry, the teacher will be around you to instruct and explain, so that you can fully experience the fun of making Japanese matcha. At the same time, we can share what we see and what we feel, such as "how do Japanese people live?", "how did Japanese culture come into being?” and so on. With the experience of matcha, we, from different cultures, can get closer to each other in the process of communication, which is the highlight of tea ceremony experience in ANKOAN. And then, please get down to tasting the matcha made by yourself, which contains Japan's profound culture, and end this pleasant experience. In addition: you can take pictures indoor freely. Other things to note ＝Business Hours＝ 10:00-18:00 ＝Off Day＝ December 31st to January 3rd ※We will be closed for attending lectures abroad or domestic activities. Sorry for the inconvenience.

This is a group tour. Nara was Japan's first capital 1300 years ago. Discover old city Nara & real Japan. We visit 3 world heritage sites, Nara park and hidden jem. We meet at Kintetsu Nara station of Kintetsu railway at 9:30 AM. (1)Begin the tour with the statue of Gyoki. (2)Enjoy walking shopping street and explore Nara famous food and Nara souvenir. (3)Enjoy Yomogi-Mochi at famous sweets shop (4) Kohfukuji Temple(world heritage) (5)Nara Park Visit places only locals know. I explain the habit of visiting temples and shrines and how Japanese pray, the difference between temples and shrines. Explore the basis and background they have. (6)Sagiike pond (7)The shrine with the Japanese Shinto deities of love (8)Kasuga Taisha shrine (world heritage) (9)break for lunch at a nice Japanese Udon restaurant. Lunch fee is not included. (10) If time permits, I will do a quick Origami lesson. (11)Todaiji-Temple Great Statue of Buddha (world heritage)　Admission fee is required. Tour ends at Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji-Temple.( In front of bus terminal) You can walk or take a bus to the station. If you need any questions about how to get back to the station, I can give you the instructions. Notes: There will be a lot of walking on this tour. I recommend you come wearing comfortable walking shoes

Close enough from KYOTO ! Guarantee the best price and quality/quantity! Please read detailed guest review to get to know more about my tour! "One of the tapas bar is historical 80 YEARS OLD classic Japanese tapas bar! Point 1. Experience of this bar crawl will walk around deep side of Osaka, If you’re looking for "off the beaten path" munchies experience beyond Namba or Doutonbori area in Osaka, HERE is for YOU who wanna glimpse what a real local night life is. Point 2. Let me take you to three SPECIAL standing bar which most of them are originally opened as "liquor store" turned out to be a "Tapas Bar". Great things that we will have quality food/drinks as very reasonable price! Average cost is about 6000 Yen ($44/€41ish) in TOTAL 3 restaurant. Point 3. You will encounter a bunch of flavorful food/drinks surrounded by full of local. You will be fit in well to local life without language barrier. I'll order your favorite taste which something "adventurous" and sure fire food like seasonal sashimi or variety of meat and veggies. If you find your favorite sake, you can buy a bottle in order to have your souvenir! Let's enjoy the night out together like a local. besides, I would like to talk about culture differences! I am music, movies and nature lover. Other things to note Food and drinks are NOT included in the tour fee. Vegetarian friendly! LGBTQ friendly!

First, we'll start and see the highlight of the Gion area, checking out the must see look into the "old town Kyoto". After walking through this Geisha district (where there's a possibility of seeing a real Geisha), I would like to step away from the more busy streets, walking through alleys to nearby Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, where I would like to talk about the history and significance of both. Next, I would like to walk up a path leading into an iconic sight of Kyoto, a picturesque view of both new and old. Finally, I would like to go to my favorite shrine, to talk about the history, but also my personal memories of the place. Soon across the street, we will be back at the original meeting place, where I would like to send you off into the city with recommendations of nearby places for restaurants, bars, or whatever you may be looking for! Other things to note The focus of this experience to enjoy the traditional sights of Kyoto, such as paper lanterns by older buildings. For this, we will walk during night, when most shops will be closed.

You can making Matcha and Kyo-Machiya (unique traditional wooden house) tour in this experience. Nowadays this type of house have been changed to modern house so, it's a good opportunity for you to experience it here. At first, I will offer you a simplified guidance for the tea-making procedure called bonryaku temae. We will use a tray and you can do this temae on the table. This is usually the first step of sado for students because it is easy to learn and it's a useful procedure. I'll give a demonstration of bonryaku temae. You'll then prepare your own Matcha by using a bamboo whisk and I will teach you about the formal drinking manners. However there are many strict rules and manner in Sado, I just want you to enjoy making Matcha ! After the experience, we'll walk around this 100-year-old townhouse called Kyo-Machiya and take pictures. This house is a very special house because we remained the original architecture since 100 years ago. For example, Mushikomado, Inuyarai, Toriniwa and so on. I'll tell you an interesting story about these architectures. Don't miss your chance to see it by yourself! Other things to note If you want to have a private experience among your own group, let me know when you would make reservation.

I am a licensed teacher from the Omotesenke School Of Tea in Kyoto. I can help you understand the significance of the Way of Tea, and welcome all your questions. You can experience Japanese Tea Ceremony in our authentic Japanese style local home. We have very authentic tea room for aiming to let to people know our tea culture more deeper in correct way. I do not providing kimono in my class because of we will talk more about The Way Of Tea. We can introduce you kimono rental shop nearby if you needed. Please let me know in advance.I love to help you! You will learn Japanese tea history, How to participate in the tea ceremony,then you will watch demonstration and learn how to make Matcha. If you come with friends or family, you can make tea for each other. *Please let me know if you would like to use the chair in advance. * You can take your pictures during the class. * The class lasts for about 60(in 2 people)to 90 minutes(in 4people). * Only participants for experience are available to enter tea ceremony room. * Please come to our place no later than 5 minutes before the experience. * Please be sure to check the location and time carefully before you come to class.

You can join this tour from Kyoto, Osaka or Nara. The location is at countryside, so please check the logistics in advance. The tour begins after meeting in my café, “d:matcha Kyoto” then we start the walking uphill through the town’s winding streets surrounded by houses built in Japanese traditional style. The first spot to visit is the scenic Yubune tea field. We continue walking surrounded by idyllic terraced fields and stunning panoramic views of endless greenery of rice and tea plantations. As we get close to the top of Hakusan Shrine, the scenery changes, we will walk through the cedar woods, experience both the fresh air high up on the mountain and the serenity of the forest. Our destination will be at d:matcha's organic tea farm and join our tea picking activity. Finally, we will head back to our meeting point, and you will try green tea tempura made with the tea leaves you picked, after that you will have the chance to enjoy a tea tasting session and you will learn to whisk your own matcha. Tea realetd Runch will be served. (We can offer vegan and gluten free food) More info is in "dmatcha" website. Other things to note Bring your camera, sunscreen, and cash/ credit card for additional purchases. I recommend long pants and closed shoes especially when it rains. You can enjoy food, and desserts in our green tea concept d:matcha Kyoto.

Information Prices tend to be high in the world, but the Japan price of our classroom has not changed from the past. In the January 2023 issue of Nagomi, a tea ceremony at a temple in Kyoto, which our classroom will hold in February, was published in tea ceremony magazine. Many customers have made reservations for April 2023. This January, we received an offer of a cultural experience in our classroom from the world's most rated five-star hotel. In March 2023, students will come to the classroom to practice. The tea ceremony masters in our classroom are tea masters with very difficult tea ceremony qualifications. In January 2021, Japanese culture precious wood was nominated for the Travel & Hospitality Awards. In March 2021,Japanese culture precious wood was selected as the winner of the Travel & Hospitality Awards Learning Experience of the Year in Japan. In the classroom experience . 1.Wear a new kimono and take it home 2.Tea ceremony by qualified tea master 3.Wear a new kimono and take it home and Tea ceremony In this experience . (1)A lecture by a highly qualified tea master. (2)Tea ceremony The guidance of the person in charge can only experience here. Other things to note There is an additional charge if you are late for the experience time. There is an additional charge for the kimono experience.Advance reservation system.

First of all this district is located in Kyoto, and no transfer once you get on train from JR Kyoto station. Are you a green tea lover? Then join us on this Tour! On this tour, you will be exploring Uji, a beautiful historic district that is often affectionately known as a tea haven for tea lovers and connoisseurs. As we stroll around Uji, you will be introduced to many interesting and fun facts about the origins of tea, and the art of tea ceremony. Here you will get a chance to taste their delicious matcha rice cake skewers, made using pure, rich matcha powder that is sure to tantalize your taste buds! For lunch, we will be stopping by a famous tea shop, to enjoy pescetarian meal with "chasoba", green tea soba noodles. After lunch we will get to experience tea leaf grinding to make matcha powder, and learn how to whisk a bowl of matcha, and next we will get to experience an authentic Japanese tea ceremony at a traditional tea house. , will visit tea fields, and will even pay a visit to some of Japan's oldest shrines, which Uji is home to, to tea fields which has been growing tea since more than 400 years, and to tea farmer's shop to taste Uji tea!! JR Uji station is Nara line at JR Kyoto station. 10 min walk from Keihan Uji station.

Welcome to my experience! :-) There are two parts in this experiences: Kimono Wearing and Photoshoot. [ On the day - Kimono Wearing (40-60 minutes) ] Reach the kimono shop at least 1 to 2 hrs BEFORE the SCHEDULED TIME of photoshoot Select the right Kimono ■ A professional kitsuke sensei will help with wearing the Kimono ■ Then a professional stylist will help with hair styling ■ Kimono upgrade/Make-up service is available with additional fee (decide at the shop) [ On the day - Photoshoot ] ■ We meet at the Kimono shop ON the SCHEDULED TIME ■ Walk around Kyoto Gion area ■ As we walk together, I will suggest some suitable spots for photoshoot ■ I will take photo group by group ■ Don’t worry about posing as I will guide you along the way ■ After the photoshoot, you can wear the kimono until 6-8pm [ About photo ] ■ 10 edited full resolution photos per participant ■ all unedited JPEG 200-400 photos, send within 7 days via cloud drive [ Note ] ■ You can always ask me if I can open the schedule for you if it’s not listed ■ Kimono upgrade (Nishaku, Furisode, Hakama) is available with extra fee. We also provide full scale package for half/full day casual or pre-wedding photoshoot at any locations within Japan. Please contact me for details. Other airbnb photoshoots experiences in Kansai area: ■ Kyoto Gion ■ Kyoto Arashiyama ■ Kyoto Fushimi Inari ■ Nara ■ Osaka

【New release at a special price】 Kyoto city is full of tourist spots, it's a kind of amusement park itself. But the transportation is so complicated even for Japanese people. Then tourists may visit 5-6 tourist spots in one day. But through this experience, we will take you to the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto, in one day! You have a chance to take photos of very beautiful scenery though this tour. Example of itinerary 1. Meet in front of the Exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama station. 8:50! 2. Arashiyama: Beautiful bamboo forest and Japanese forested mountain. 3. Ride the Randen Tram Line: Cute local small tram. 4. Ryoan-ji Temple: The stone garden here became famous because Queen Elizabeth visited here and praised it. 5. Lunch: Eat at a Sushi-go-round! (Sushi, Ramen, Kara-Age, Beer, Mochi too!) 6. Kinkakuji Temple: You can't miss this place. The famous "golden temple". 7. Fushimi Inari Shrine: The No.1 sightseeing spot chosen by overseas customers! The more than 1,000 red torii gates lining the path are spectacular. 8. Sanjusangendo: The sight of 1,000 Buddhist statues lined up is a sight to behold! 9. Kiyomizu Temple: The most popular tourist spot for Japanese tourists. The wood stage does not use a single nail. 10. Sanneizaka: Souvenir shops lined up this pedestrian road. 11. Yasaka Pagoda: A major symbol of Kyoto. 12. Gion area: This is the beauty of historical city, Kyoto.

Experience what it feels like to be a local! This 3-hour experience focuses on standing izakayas in Kyobashi, a neighborhood filled with small, local favorite restaurants and bars. Eat and drink like a local in these hidden gems while interacting with friendly Osaka locals! With me as your local host, you will be encouraged to try old-school izakaya foods and interact with locals in a way that you otherwise wouldn't. We will go to 2-3 standing izakayas in Kyobashi for you to try various Japanese and Osaka local foods. The places I will take you to have no English signs or menus, but not to worry, I will translate them for you! By the end of the tour, you'll be able to order your own next round of food and drinks! Come with me to eat and drink like locals, with locals. **PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE BOOKING** FOOD/DRINKS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE. Please know that the experience will be taken place in STANDING izakayas and they are SMOKING-FRIENDLY. This experience is NOT for those who have many food restrictions or are very specific about the dishes they want.

Don’t get caught standing in a crowd of tourists trying to get a good photo. We provide a personal hiking experience. This is the ONLY tour at Fushimi Inari which goes off paved paths, onto actual forest trails. We know of hidden bamboo groves and beautiful evergreens around Fushimi Inari Shrine. Local trails lead us to the main shrine with thousands of red torii gates, and we know of secluded trails that lead to old and hidden alters. We will begin at Tofukuji Station and wander into a quiet neighborhood, visiting small shrines on the way to the mountain. Then take a trail to see a wonderful bamboo grove, and connect to the main path filled with the famous vermilion torii gates. We will reach the summit of the mountain, which is covered in the ​shrine alters and then venture back down the mountain on a forested trail, visiting smaller shrines on the way to another bamboo grove. This will lead us to the most famous area of Fushimi Inari, perfect for a memorable photo. We will finish at the main shrine at the base of the mountain, where you can enjoy some local street food before you continue your adventure in the wonderful city of Kyoto. Please understand that this is a hike, not a normal walk, so it will require some effort. We will not recommend joining if you have trouble walking or not in a good condition. Other things to note We would not recommend this for people who have trouble walking or are not in a good condition. Wearing shoes, long sleeve shirt and long pants is recommended to avoid mosquitoes and bugs. Being late for more than 5 minutes will be regarded as a cancellation without any refund. Possible Co-Host

Uncover the little-known sake culture of Fushimi, Kyoto on a 3-hour insider brewery visit + fun and educational sake tasting and food pairing session with an expert. 　・Insider Sake Brewery Tour You’ll take a short walk to visit the largest sake brewery in Fushimi, where you’ll deepen your knowledge of sake and witness traditional brewing processes which have been passed down from generation to generation. At the end of your brewery tour you’ll have the chance to taste a few of the flavors produced there. 　・Sake Tasting with an Expert You’ll get to try flavors of sake you may never have experienced before – as we’ll introduce you to bottles which have never been exported. Your expert guide will explain the differences in taste – dry, sweet, rich, fruity – and how each of these are produced. 　・Food Pairing You’ll also be served various Otsumami – Japanese snacks which traditionally accompany alcohol – so you can see which types of food and flavor best accompany the different sake types. This is a fun and educational sake tasting. Join this experience at the beginning of your trip in Japan, then you'll be able to enjoy sake rest of your trip! ※Dec 28th to Jan 4th, please see "1.5H Kyoto Insider Sake Experience instead. Other things to note ・If your group has more people than what it shows on availability, please contact us.

We will share a course-meal ranging from modern to traditional Japanese food across 4-6 food stands and restaurants. I have chosen these vendors to talk about quality food and rich food culture that represent Kyoto. Throughout the evening, we will try many kinds of foods different from other Japanese cities offer with other foodies! Other things to note Please let me know if you have food restrictions or allergies beforehand. I update my tour availability by the 3rd week for next month. Even if you don't see availability, please check back later.

【New release at a special price】 Kyoto city is full of tourist spots, it's a kind of amusement park itself. But the transportation is so complicated even for Japanese people. Then tourists may visit 5-6 tourist spots in one day. But through this experience, we will take you to the most popular tourist spots in Kyoto, in one day! You have a chance to take photos of very beautiful scenery though this tour. Example of itinerary 1. Meet in front of the Exit of JR Saga-Arashiyama station. 8:50! 2. Arashiyama: Beautiful bamboo forest and Japanese forested mountain. 3. Ride the Randen Tram Line: Cute local small tram. 4. Ryoan-ji Temple: The stone garden here became famous because Queen Elizabeth visited here and praised it. 5. Lunch: Eat at a Sushi-go-round! (Sushi, Ramen, Kara-Age, Beer, Mochi too!) 6. Kinkakuji Temple: You can't miss this place. The famous "golden temple". 7. Fushimi Inari Shrine: The No.1 sightseeing spot chosen by overseas customers! The more than 1,000 red torii gates lining the path are spectacular. 8. Sanjusangendo: The sight of 1,000 Buddhist statues lined up is a sight to behold! 9. Kiyomizu Temple: The most popular tourist spot for Japanese tourists. The wood stage does not use a single nail. 10. Sanneizaka: Souvenir shops lined up this pedestrian road. 11. Yasaka Pagoda: A major symbol of Kyoto. 12. Gion area: This is the beauty of historical city, Kyoto.

In this experience tour, you can stroll around the ancient capital of Kyoto, enjoy the history of temples and Kyomachi, and create special memories through a photography experience. Firstly, we will meet at the Nishiromon gate of Yasaka Shrine and we will explain the flow of the tour. We then head to our destination, Kiyomizu-dera, while visiting not only Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, but also hidden spots where there are less tourists. There are also some standard photo spots along the way, so let's proceed while taking commemorative photos. We can also shoot outside the Kiyomizu-temple area as well, so please feel free to talk with us. We highly recommend wearing the traditional Japanese wear, kimono and Japanese style make-up during the tour. Since there are many kimono rental shops in the city of Kyoto, If you would like to use the service, please let us know in advance, we can help you with the reservation. The experience tour will last approximately 2 hours. I especially recommend it for those who are new to Kyoto! Please come and join us to make your own memories. [ this experience tour includes ] ・ 2 hours shooting experience and cultural deep tour (English, Japanese, Chinese, available) ・ Photos (50 or more unedited photos, 10 to 12 full edited photos) If you have any further questions or inquiries, please contact us through the Host Contact button!

You can make a reservation to participate in the tea ceremony experience in our studio, enjoy the 60-minute service and immerse yourself in the unique Japanese culture tour. The Tea Ceremony experience in ANKOAN kicks out your fatigue in the journey. While tasting the welcome tea made by Yuka, you can talk about the tea ceremony and whatever. Then move to another layer of matcha tearoom, watching the process of making Matcha tea and tasting Matcha and delicious Wagashi. At this time, you’d better observe the teacher's action for making matcha carefully. Do you know why? Because you will experience to make mathca personally later on. But don't worry, the teacher will be around you to instruct and explain, so that you can fully experience the fun of making Japanese matcha. At the same time, we can share what we see and what we feel, such as "how do Japanese people live?", "how did Japanese culture come into being?” and so on. With the experience of matcha, we, from different cultures, can get closer to each other in the process of communication, which is the highlight of tea ceremony experience in ANKOAN. And then, please get down to tasting the matcha made by yourself, which contains Japan's profound culture, and end this pleasant experience. In addition: you can take pictures indoor freely. Other things to note ＝Business Hours＝ 10:00-18:00 ＝Off Day＝ December 31st to January 3rd ※We will be closed for attending lectures abroad or domestic activities. Sorry for the inconvenience.

This is a group tour. Nara was Japan's first capital 1300 years ago. Discover old city Nara & real Japan. We visit 3 world heritage sites, Nara park and hidden jem. We meet at Kintetsu Nara station of Kintetsu railway at 9:30 AM. (1)Begin the tour with the statue of Gyoki. (2)Enjoy walking shopping street and explore Nara famous food and Nara souvenir. (3)Enjoy Yomogi-Mochi at famous sweets shop (4) Kohfukuji Temple(world heritage) (5)Nara Park Visit places only locals know. I explain the habit of visiting temples and shrines and how Japanese pray, the difference between temples and shrines. Explore the basis and background they have. (6)Sagiike pond (7)The shrine with the Japanese Shinto deities of love (8)Kasuga Taisha shrine (world heritage) (9)break for lunch at a nice Japanese Udon restaurant. Lunch fee is not included. (10) If time permits, I will do a quick Origami lesson. (11)Todaiji-Temple Great Statue of Buddha (world heritage)　Admission fee is required. Tour ends at Nandaimon Gate of Todaiji-Temple.( In front of bus terminal) You can walk or take a bus to the station. If you need any questions about how to get back to the station, I can give you the instructions. Notes: There will be a lot of walking on this tour. I recommend you come wearing comfortable walking shoes

Close enough from KYOTO ! Guarantee the best price and quality/quantity! Please read detailed guest review to get to know more about my tour! "One of the tapas bar is historical 80 YEARS OLD classic Japanese tapas bar! Point 1. Experience of this bar crawl will walk around deep side of Osaka, If you’re looking for "off the beaten path" munchies experience beyond Namba or Doutonbori area in Osaka, HERE is for YOU who wanna glimpse what a real local night life is. Point 2. Let me take you to three SPECIAL standing bar which most of them are originally opened as "liquor store" turned out to be a "Tapas Bar". Great things that we will have quality food/drinks as very reasonable price! Average cost is about 6000 Yen ($44/€41ish) in TOTAL 3 restaurant. Point 3. You will encounter a bunch of flavorful food/drinks surrounded by full of local. You will be fit in well to local life without language barrier. I'll order your favorite taste which something "adventurous" and sure fire food like seasonal sashimi or variety of meat and veggies. If you find your favorite sake, you can buy a bottle in order to have your souvenir! Let's enjoy the night out together like a local. besides, I would like to talk about culture differences! I am music, movies and nature lover. Other things to note Food and drinks are NOT included in the tour fee. Vegetarian friendly! LGBTQ friendly!

For years I’ve been hearing that Kyoto doesn’t have a great nightlife so people should stay in Ōsaka if they are looking for excitement & then do day trips from there to Kyoto & Nara. People who actually don’t know Kyoto say these things. Kyoto has a very vibrant & exciting nightlife. Kyoto has become overrun with tourists over the past few years but you can still manage to find places that aren’t crowded with tourists & that’s my goal for your experience with me. We will go to places that are intimidating to enter for people who don’t speak Japanese. The places where most tourists will walk by & wonder what’s served there. First, we will go to a “tachnomi” or “stand up bar” where many people gather after work for drinks & small dishes. After that, we will squeeze into a tiny bar where locals sometimes sing karaoke songs & often strike up a conversation with new faces because everyone is seated together. The owner or “mama” will definitely visit with us & I’ll translate everything. Finally, we will head to another tiny bar that is set off of a narrow alley lined with historic buildings in the heart of Kyoto’s nightlife scene. I can direct you where to go from there as it’s near the nightlife district!

First, we'll start and see the highlight of the Gion area, checking out the must see look into the "old town Kyoto". After walking through this Geisha district (where there's a possibility of seeing a real Geisha), I would like to step away from the more busy streets, walking through alleys to nearby Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, where I would like to talk about the history and significance of both. Next, I would like to walk up a path leading into an iconic sight of Kyoto, a picturesque view of both new and old. Finally, I would like to go to my favorite shrine, to talk about the history, but also my personal memories of the place. Soon across the street, we will be back at the original meeting place, where I would like to send you off into the city with recommendations of nearby places for restaurants, bars, or whatever you may be looking for! Other things to note The focus of this experience to enjoy the traditional sights of Kyoto, such as paper lanterns by older buildings. For this, we will walk during night, when most shops will be closed.

A cycling tour through Kyoto city should be more than just a simple ride-around, we take you deep inside. Our tours are focused on experiencing, exploring, and discovering Kyoto’s best-kept secrets, all in a short riding distance from our shop. Tranquil and contemplative Zen gardens, magnificent temples and shrines, we have carefully curated a tour that offers uniquely contrasting environments showcasing Kyoto’s distinctive history, culture, design, and craft. We meet at 8:45 and depart at 9 sharp. Our tour starts and finishes at our shop in north-western Kyoto city. This is a boutique journey, designed for those who seek a more in-depth understanding of Kyoto’s landscape. It features a visit inside the famous Golden Pavilion, but also takes time to stop and relax at other unique meditative Zen Gardens that are off the beaten path. Other things to note Most guests take a taxi to our shop. We recommend wearing comfortable clothes for a fantastic day on the bike. I will cancel and refund tours due to heavy rain, storms, or inclement weather.

Session 1 " Book Binding Workshop" 1. select book cover ( you can choose from our collection of old kimono textile / old cloth textile / varieties of fabrics ) 2. stitch the interior pages of the book by hand 3. cut the edge of the book to size 4. measure the book cover & other materials 5. set and arrange all paper and make book cover 6. assemble the interior of the book and book cover 7. press by hot iron with candle 8. use pressing tools to press book 9. glue on the cover of the book Session 2 ” Embossing ”　 1. choose one or two words from Name/ Date/ Kyoto. Or, one line of your expression like poem or philosophy. 2. choose letter style from letter presses ( Western or Japanese/ Kanji -old Chinese characters ) 3. design to set letter press on the back page of your book cover 4. practice the technic of embossing several times 5. try to emboss with golden leaf ( silver / other colors ) please check photos for each process. -finish Other things to note This course is best suited for adults and families with kids over 13 yrs. old. If you’d like to enjoy a more family oriented class please choose our other course Traditional Kyoto Style Bookmaking.

This is a 3-hour 30-minute hiking lead by locals. Lunch included. You will have an opportunity to experience the holy mountain of Fushimi through an alternative route. We provide two slots. 9:00am - 13:00pm / 9:30am - 13:30 pm The latter is for busy season. This experience includes: 1) Sightseeing of the main shrine and thousands of red gates, with an explanation of their history and cultural background. 2) Easy walking through a peaceful bamboo and cedar tree forest path, visiting authentic holy spots (worship stones & waterfall) and a factory. 3) Going up a forest route to the summit shrine (20 min). The summit is 233m high, and I will show you around the shrine. 4) Photo-shooting part. On the way down, I will show you lots of photogenic spots that are usually less crowded. 5) Snack & drink, and the breathtaking panorama view of Kyoto city from the viewpoint. 6) Lunch at the best soba restaurant in Fushimi. Yummy Japanese noodle soba and inari sushi. vegan options are available. Showing local street food stands. Other things to note: Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and bring a hands-free backpack for hiking. The paths are well-organized, but you will go up/down some stairs. The time schedule may differ depending on your walking speed.

Experience what it feels like to be a local! This 3-hour experience focuses on standing izakayas in Kyobashi, a neighborhood filled with small, local favorite restaurants and bars. Eat and drink like a local in these hidden gems while interacting with friendly Osaka locals! With me as your local host, you will be encouraged to try old-school izakaya foods and interact with locals in a way that you otherwise wouldn't. We will go to 2-3 standing izakayas in Kyobashi for you to try various Japanese and Osaka local foods. The places I will take you to have no English signs or menus, but not to worry, I will translate them for you! By the end of the tour, you'll be able to order your own next round of food and drinks! Come with me to eat and drink like locals, with locals. **PLEASE READ BELOW BEFORE BOOKING** FOOD/DRINKS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FEE. Please know that the experience will be taken place in STANDING izakayas and they are SMOKING-FRIENDLY. This experience is NOT for those who have many food restrictions or are very specific about the dishes they want.

Uncover the little-known sake culture of Fushimi, Kyoto on a 3-hour insider brewery visit + fun and educational sake tasting and food pairing session with an expert. 　・Insider Sake Brewery Tour You’ll take a short walk to visit the largest sake brewery in Fushimi, where you’ll deepen your knowledge of sake and witness traditional brewing processes which have been passed down from generation to generation. At the end of your brewery tour you’ll have the chance to taste a few of the flavors produced there. 　・Sake Tasting with an Expert You’ll get to try flavors of sake you may never have experienced before – as we’ll introduce you to bottles which have never been exported. Your expert guide will explain the differences in taste – dry, sweet, rich, fruity – and how each of these are produced. 　・Food Pairing You’ll also be served various Otsumami – Japanese snacks which traditionally accompany alcohol – so you can see which types of food and flavor best accompany the different sake types. This is a fun and educational sake tasting. Join this experience at the beginning of your trip in Japan, then you'll be able to enjoy sake rest of your trip! ※Dec 28th to Jan 4th, please see "1.5H Kyoto Insider Sake Experience instead. Other things to note ・If your group has more people than what it shows on availability, please contact us.

" Book Binding Workshop" 1. select book cover ( you can choose from our collection of old kimono textile / old cloth textile / varieties of fabrics ) 2. stitch the interior pages of the book by hand 3. cut the edge of the book to size 4. measure the book cover & other materials 5. set and arrange all paper and make book cover 6. assemble the interior of the book and book cover 7. press by hot iron with candle 8. use pressing tools to press book 9. glue on the cover of the book -finish- Other things to note If you are the family, we are very welcome. Under 5years old children might be difficult to have standard corse. In that case, embossing class would be better ( please check another workshop of mine!

3-hour refreshing bike ride and a 1-hour town walk. This tour is perfect for families. Bike Part: You'll ride a lovely bike to explore the hidden gems of Kyoto that are off the beaten path. This efficient tour lets you feel the wind and air of Kyoto while experiencing nature and open sky. We'll begin with a peaceful riverside road, stopping at a hidden shrine to try some pure natural spring water. Then we'll visit the huge Imperial Palace and a famous Zen temple before passing through some university campuses and peaceful residential areas. We'll arrive at Shimo-gamo Shrine (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to enjoy its primitive forest and beautiful buildings. Next, we'll ride down to a unique river junction point and follow the scenic and refreshing lighted-up riverside back. Walk Part: After returning the bikes, we'll take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful entertainment area of Gion or Pontocho. You'll visit main "Flower Towns" (places of Geisha) and see the amazingly photogenic streets. We'll explain the unique culture and system of Geisha. If you're lucky, you may even spot a beautiful Geisha. Dinner Recommendation: During the walking part, we'll introduce many good restaurants and bars according to your requests. Note Rain or Shine experience. The destinations are one of the examples.